With its 2005 order for ten DC electrics, Angel Trains Cargo (ATC), at that time an UK based lease company property of the Royal Bank of Scotland, was launching customer for a new TRAXX product, the TRAXX DC electric, developed for DC markets (Italy, Spain, Poland).

The order was an important driver for Bombardier to develop the 2nd generation/evolution (2E) version of the TRAXX platform, including not only a DC version, but a multi system and diesel version as well. All versions share at least 70% of their components. The DC locomotive must be seen as a mutli system locomotive, after taking out all necessary equipment for AC voltage systems.

1st batch: 483 001-010
The first batch was ordered on 16.03.2005 and built in 2006-2007. They got the same livery in green and silver as the multisystem locomotives ATC was receiving at that time. The fronts were also white and red, just to have all the machines in the same livery. ATC locomotive 483 001 was built in Kassel and the very first TRAXX 2E machine to be completed. It had its roll-out in August 2006 and its construction process was monitored by personnel from the Bombardier assembly site in Vado Ligure, Italy, that would take over production of the DC starting with unit 002. So, 483 002-010 were built by Bombardier in Vado Ligure, where an official roll-out was held on June 5th, 2007.

2nd batch: 483 011-020
On 24.09.2007, Angel Trains announced a supplemental order for another ten machines, being part of a large follow-up order from that time. The designated 483 011-020 were constructed in 2008-2009. Most of them were stored at harbour of Vado for months, as Angel Trains could not find customers in a time of economic downfall. Only in December 2009 we could record the some first revenue earning services with 483 011 and 012

Ownership, company structure and the name of Angel Trains Cargo (ATC) have changed since the delivery of 483 001-020. Since 2010, the machines are property of Alpha Trains Italia.

Alpha Trains TRAXX DC: news

2016

2016-05-15

[DE/IT] Alpha Trains 483 002 in Krefeld; R1 completed [edit]

update 2016|05|15

[DE/IT] Alpha Trains 483 002 in Krefeld; R1 completed [edit]

Jeroen de Vries was able to catch Alpha Trains 483 002 on 13.05.2016, in Krefeld, Germany. There mgw Service has just completed the R1 overhaul of this machine, proven by the new REV date of 11.05.2016. The machine kept its old style RTC logos. Edit: the large from numbers are not new, they were applied before the R1 took place.

Long way from home: Alpha Trains 483 003 in Krefeld. This machine, only operable in Italy, had its R1 revision in the German city. Rev date: 10.12.2015. The locomotive kept its old RTC logos. (Achim Scheil)

Alpha Trains announces that Alpha Trains Luxembourg No.2 S.à r.l. acquired 202 rolling stock assets in a mixed asset and shares transaction from The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC (RBS) at the end of 2013.

Alpha Trains has managed the assets on behalf of RBS since a consortium of investors acquired Alpha Trains from RBS in August 2008. The passenger trains and locomotives are employed in services across Continental Europe under leasing contracts with several European train operators.

Commenting on the acquisition, Shaun M. Mills CEO said: “This is a key transaction for Alpha Trains and an important step in our strategy of growing the business. We know the assets well having managed their delivery and operation since 2008 and are looking forward to fully integrating them in our business for the benefit of our customers. This acquisition further cements Alpha Trains’ position as the leading private rolling stock lessor in Continental Europe.”

About Alpha Trains: Alpha Trains has been an investor, owner and manager of rolling stock for more than ten years, during which time we have established an enviable record as a consistent, professional and innovative investor and manager of passenger trains and freight locomotives. The current portfolio comprises around 370 locomotives and 300 passenger trains which are managed by an international staff of 70 people in our offices in Luxembourg, Antwerp, Cologne and Madrid. Our shareholders are: Arcus Infrastructure, PSP (Public Sector Pension Investment Board) and AMP Capital Investors. - Alpha trains
Alpha Trains / RBSAF 185.2Alpha Trains Traxx AC1Alpha Trains TRAXX DCAlpha Trains TRAXX MS2e

2013

2013-10-27

[IT] E436 gets assistance from E483

update 2013|10|27

[IT] E436 gets assistance from E483

bomb_8232_66
Looking, at their colours, they fit together perfectly, the Akiem BB 36000 and Alpha Trains' E483. In Italy they are used together now:

Massimiliano Tripodi reports: "After a week of test runs supervised by Captrain engineers, a E483 from Sampierdarena assisted on the the "sunday" coil train from Ventimiglia to Brescia. The E483 assists E436 untill Arquata Scrivia. The E436 solely hauls the train to Brescia. Captrain hired E483 012 from Rail Cargo Italia for a week for this service. In the meantime it is replaced by E483 013 of Captrain."
Alpha Trains TRAXX DC

2012

2012-05-04

[IT] E483 020 in La Spezia; a rendez-vous

update 2012|05|04

[IT] E483 020 in La Spezia; a rendez-vous

Same locomotive, same location, two distinct liveries in just a different color tone. Very rail color. - EB
Alpha Trains TRAXX DC

2012-04-25

[IT] Oceanogate in everyday practice

update 2012|04|25

[IT] Oceanogate in everyday practice

Since last week, the four Oceanogate Traxx locomotives are in service. Two impressions of the first days of revenue service with these pink beauties. - MS/MS
Alpha Trains TRAXX DC

2012-04-17

[IT] the fleet of Oceanogate is expanding

update 2012|04|17

[IT] the fleet of Oceanogate is expanding

Today we got this nice image of four pink Traxx's. The Oceanogate fleet is expanding. Alpha Trains 483 001 (ex. GTS Rail with the Italian flag), 483 018, 483 019, and 483 020 (all former Arenaways locomotives) are all restyled now. Together they are now parked in Melzo Scalo, waiting for things to get approved and started. - LP

Oceanogate is an intermodal company, that will take-over services from the harbours of La Spezia, Genova and Ravenna and going to the northern terminals in Milan (Melzo and Rho), Bologna, Reggio Emilia (Dinazzano), Modena, Ravenna and Padova. - AD

Yesterday, 483 020 presented itself for the first time in pink, a Oceanogate livery.

Oceanogate is an intermodal company that manages its own container shuttles. STakeholders of this newco are SoGeMar (the intermodal operator) and Ferrovie Emilia Romagna. The initial goal of Oceanogate is to replace the FER, Linea and Trenitalia services, coming from the harbours of La Spezia, Genova and Ravenna and going to the northern terminals in Milan (Melzo and Rho), Bologna, Reggio Emilia (Dinazzano), Modena, Ravenna and Padova. - GG/GI/AH/MS
Alpha Trains TRAXX DC

2011

2011-03-20

[IT] GTS E483.001 - Italia

update 2011|03|20

[IT] GTS E483.001 - Italia

Some fine images from Paolo Carnetti of Alpha Trains E483.001 that now runs for GTS Rail and is officially baptised Italia since 14.03.2011. A drawing is also added to the site, check the 483.001 profile - MG/GI/PC/LF
Alpha Trains TRAXX DC

2011-03-12

[IT] GTS celebrates One Italy

update 2011|03|12

[IT] GTS celebrates One Italy

On 14.03.2010, operator GTS will present unit E483.001 in Bari, with special vinyls celebrating the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy. With the very familiar looking graphic in this link you get an impression of their design. The 001 is already seen with this new look. - GI
Alpha Trains TRAXX DC

2011-01-22

[IT] E483.007 hired to Arenaways

update 2011|01|22

[IT] E483.007 hired to Arenaways

Arenaways has a new locomotive in its fleet: E483.007. It got a orange touch to its Alpha Trains livery. - DN
Alpha Trains TRAXX DC

2010

2010-11-11

[IT] E483.004 in ISC livery: yellow for one day

update 2010|11|11

[IT] E483.004 in ISC livery: yellow for one day

We got a question: does or did the livery in this really exist? The answer: yes, but only for twelve hours. Interporto Campano Servizi (ICS) is a partner of RTC and when this company presented it plans, last spring, RTC E483.004 got this yellow livery, only on one side. The stickers were removed again when the machine was sent back to revenue service. Because of this the 004 still misses the RTC logos on one side.

The pictures show the first two Alpha Trains Traxx DC electrics to be hired to Arenaways, an Italian operator, that wants to use them for hauling DB Autozug and NS Autoslaaptrein services on Italian territory. At the end pf 2010, Arenaways will get new Vivalto couches; the E483s will then also be used for regional services between Milan and Turin. - MS/FM
Alpha Trains TRAXX DC

In 2006-2009, the Bombardier site in Vado Ligure built twenty Traxx DC units for Angel Trains Cargo. The first ten (E483.001-010) are regular guests on this site, units of the second batch (E483.011-020) however are still nowhere to be seen. The harbour of Vado seems to be an asylum for these machines, as most of them were parked there, waiting for Italian operators to hire them.

Now an image has appeared of E483.011 and 012, heading in the direction of Piacenza, with LI-markings up front, which means that Linea Smart Ways (nowadays the local Italian division of Rail Cargo Austria) is going to exploit them. Let's see if there is any money left for some orange tape...
Alpha Trains TRAXX DC

2009-10-03

[IT/ES] TRAXX DC production, a complete overview

update 2009|10|03

[IT/ES] TRAXX DC production, a complete overview

During the past months, Bombardier in Vado Ligure has outshopped Traxx DC electrics for various Italian rail operators. Now, for all customers known, units have been spotted during test runs. Therefore it's time for a quick overview:

Autorità Portuale di Savona (AP) ordered two units in April 2008. In September they were spotted around Arenzano. The designated E 483.021 and 022 are both painted in white.

Ferrovie Emilia Romagna (FER) from Bologna ordered four units in March 2008. All four have been spotted up till now, they are also painted white and numbered as E 483.023, 024, 025 and 026.

Bombardier is also delivering three units to General Transport Service (GTS). E 483.051, 052 and 053 are painted black. A picture was found last week.

Other Traxx DC series: for leasy company Angel Trains Cargo, Bombardier has built twenty DC units, the designated E 483.001-020. The ten units of the first batch are being operated by Rail Traction Company (RTC), Nordcargo and DB Schenker. Unit 11-20 are not in service as far as we know and stored around Vado Ligure. Nordcargo also purchased eight Traxx DC units; E 483.101-108 were all delivered this year and are in service right now, being used for both Nordcargo and DB Schenker services.

Then there is still the Spanish branch of the family. Renfe is recieving 100 units, designated 253 001-100, partly built in Vado Ligure, partly built in Madrid. Delivery should be half way.
Last but not least, operator Comsa from Spain also ordered three 253s. However we have not found any sign yet of these machines being completed. Anyone has?
Alpha Trains TRAXX DCAPS E483Renfe Mercancias TRAXX DC

2008

2008-12-29

[IT] new E483s from Vado Ligure

update 2008|12|29

[IT] new E483s from Vado Ligure

The production of Traxx DC units in Vado Ligure, Italy is still going strong. New locomotives have been spotted recently:

E 483.008, in service of Nordcargo, got blue vinyls and Nordcargo logos. E 483.009 and .010 will get this new blue colour too.

Nordcargo has also 8 new Traxx F140 DC units on order, designated E 483.101-108. They will get the same blue colour as the .008, but then combined with a silver base colour. First new E 483, assembled in Vado Ligure, is expected to be completed next December. - Nordcargo
Alpha Trains TRAXX DC

2008-09-25

[IT] 483.009

update 2008|09|25

[IT] 483.009

Nordcargo E483.009 is on hire to Bombardier, as it is used for trials with E 186 101 in Italy. The first picture shows the machine next to the new E 403.004 for Trenitalia, the multi-system locomotive built by Ansaldo Breda. - MF
Alpha Trains TRAXX DC

2008-07-31

[IT] NordCargo starts regular services with E483s

update 2008|07|31

[IT] NordCargo starts regular services with E483s

Since 21.07.2008, Italian operator Nordcargo has started regular services with its three E483s rented from Angel trains Cargo. Together with different E189s, E483 008, 009* and 010 are now used between Vercelli - Villa Opicina vv. for transporting brand new Renault automobiles. The Slovenian railways brings the trains to Villa Opicina, at the Italian-Slovenian border, which are then taken over by Nordcargo. For further transport to France, the final destination of these trains, SNCF BB 36000s are being used. - MF

* not yet delivered to Nordcargo, is it is still being used by Bombardier for SCMT testing together with E 186 101
Alpha Trains TRAXX DC

2008-07-07

[IT] about RTC E483s

update 2008|07|07

[IT] about RTC E483s

Rail Traction Company from Italy will operate four E483 series locomotives, leased from Angel Trains Cargo, to be used on the Milano-Nola and Nola-San Ferdinando relations. First one in regular service is E483.005 RT. - MS
Alpha Trains TRAXX DC

2008-06-30

[EU] Angel Trains Cargo sold

update 2008|06|30

[EU] Angel Trains Cargo sold

The news is already two weeks old, but still interesting. The Royal Bank of Scotland, urgently needing fresh capital, has sold Angel Trains Cargo, to a consortium of investors for £3.6 bn. This consortium includes the Babcock & Brown European Infrastructure Fund, Australian investment manager AMP Capital Investors, Deutsche Bank and pension funds advised by Access Capital Advisers. Note that Babcock & Brown is already active on the European leasing market for railway vehicles, as it also owns CB Rail. This company is a joint venture of B&B and the English HBOS. It is expected that the Angel Trains transaction will be completed by the end of 2008. - Railwaygazette
Alpha Trains / RBSAF 185.2Alpha Trains 223Alpha Trains Traxx AC1Alpha Trains TRAXX DCAlpha Trains TRAXX MS2e

2008-05-27

[EU] Railcolor Shorts (update)

update 2008|05|27

[EU] Railcolor Shorts (update)

ACTS in Holland will use 189 092 tonight and tomorrow for its own services - E 189 989/931 and E483 003 are doin SCMT trials in Orte, Italy (see picture) - 185-CL 003 'Sir Rainer' made trials in its new Veolia livery today - For the very first time, CTL logistics did a nonstop-run from Germany to Holland, with E 189 928 via Emmerich to Rotterdam - 189 054 slightly damaged after running into a Eaos freight waggon in Augsburg, Germany
Alpha Trains TRAXX DCBeacon Rail Traxx AC1DB Schenker 189MRCE ES64F4